Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

if you don't mind-i am looking for ideas as i am going back to work in 2 weeks. i need ideas, you don't have to give the recipe just what you think is easy to make for dinner. looking for dinners that don't require a whole of lot of prep or chopping etc....
THANK SO MUCH!!!

Message edited 8/17/2008 12:34:03 PM.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks!

Potato and egg omlette. I make this anytime I don't feel like cooking. I chop an onion really finely adn cut a potato into thin matchsticks, then I sautee them in some olive oil until the potatoes are a little brown, then I scramble three eggs and pour it over the potatoes and onion, let it set up, flip and then I cut it in half and Ava and I share it. This takes AT MOST 15 minutes to make, probably less.

The next easiest thing I make for dinner is broccoli and macaroni. I mince two cloves of garlic and sautee it in about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, then I boil up some macaroni and towards the end toss in some frozen broccoli, I drain it, pour the oil adn garlic over it, salt it and eat it! So easy. Sometimes, if I'm in the mood for more flavor, I pour some chicken broth into the oil when it's cooking and then add the juice of one lemon and that makes more of a "sauce" to go on the pasta.
From start to finish on this one is about 1/2 hour.

I would invest in one of Rachael Ray's 30 minute meal cook books. I thought I hated her until I tried her meals. they really ARE done in 30 minutes!

Also, I keep turkey burgers and buns in the freezer at all times because I can always toss them on the grill and have burgers in 20 minutes.

But when in doubt, eggs are the best option for dinner when there's no time left to worry about dinner. This way you know everyone's getting some protein

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

-homemade pizza (keep dough in freezer, I always have mozzarella and sauce on hand---then whatever toppings you have around--takes less then 5 minutes to make, bakes in 15-20
-breakfast for dinner
-baked ziti or pasta with turkey meatballs
-anything on the bbq--hamburgers, salmon, chicken---if I bbq chicken I always make extra and have it over a salad or make chicken salad sandwiches for the next night
-quesadillas (another way to use leftover bbq chicken--just add cheese and whatever else you want)
-for veggies I keep a bunch in the freezer and just throw them in the steamer in a pot.
-crockpot recipes--bbq pulled pork, chili, beef stew
thats all i can think of right now!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

chickpea curry
corn chowder & salad
(both dishes freeze well, so I always double the recipes)

When I have time, I also make a bunch of quiches & lasagna in advance & freeze them.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Chickpea curry
Chicken curry
Okra curry
Dal (lentils)
Falafel and couscous
Mushroom omlette
Khichry(lentils and rice cooked into mushy buttery goodness)

All take 20 minutes or less

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Artichoke chicken (top raw chicken breasts w/1 can of artichoke hearts mixed w/mayo,parm cheese, s&p, and bake)

baked fish over fresh spinach (sprinkle w/olive oil, lemon, s&p)

tacos or quesadillas

grilled chicken over salad

meatloaf

burgers in a grill pan and throw on a bun

anything in a crockpot

stock up on frozen veggies (those steam ones are good)

cous cous is a really easy side...throw in some frozen veggies for 2 sides in one..works w/pasta too!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

WOW! you guys are the best!! GREAT dinner ideas!! thank you so much. i really appreciate it so much.
think i am going to get the R Ray cookbook too!
anyone else wants to add please do! thanks!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

I do the same as Rachel with the eggs! My kids love omelets with whatever they chose to have in it (bacon, broccoli, potato, cheese, peppers, etc)....

I also grill year round. I grill the basics like hamburgers and hot dogs, plus chicken, sausage, kielbasa, fish, veggies, etc.

Another quick meal I like is rice and beans. I use brown rice, and either black or kidney beans, and I'll add diced chicken or even kielbasa to it for some meat.

Rotisserie chicken!! I get them at Costco, and you can keep them in the fridge for a few days. I always use the left over chicken to make things like burritos and quesedilla's.

Speaking of that, burritos and quesidilla's are so easy!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

One thing that wasn't mentioned here, but I do this at least 2x a week, is to pull a homecooked meal out of the freezer. One of my favorite things to do since becoming a mom is to make things in BIG batches, divide and freeze for no-cook nights. Things that are easy to make in bulk and freeze well are:

- chili
- goulash
- pot roast and gravy
- hearty bean soups
- jambalaya
- curries
- meatballs (or sausage) and sauce
- breaded chicken cutlets
- marinated and grilled chicken breasts (can be used in sandwiches, or sliced and thrown on salad)
- bbq pulled pork

A lot of these things can be made in a crockpot, so they can be made while DC is napping too!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Off the top of my head these are norms in my house
--Anything in my crockpot has to be the easiest! My DH actually loves some of the things I make in there.
--Tacos
--Burgers with mushrooms & gravy
--Stir Fry
--Pizza
--Baked chicken cutlets (using italian dressing seasoning and breadcrumbs)
--Linguini and clam sauce
--Pasta and homemade sauce (make meatballs and make extra for meatballs heros another night)
--MexiMac

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Quick recipes...

Speghetti and Meatballs..I make the meatballs on a day off and keep them in the freezer

French's Onion crusted chicken

Pork Chops cooked in onion soup

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Girl,

I have an entire binder of recipes that are easy.

Do you have a crock pot? You NEED one and you'll thank me later

I should be able to make copies in a few days and I'll drop them off

I'll post them when I can.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

These are all such great ideas - I just bookmarked this!!

I eat a lot of caesar salads, sometimes with chicken sausage or grilled chicken.
I also love quesadillas and chicken wraps (love buffalo chicken wraps).
I always have turkey burgers and I use the grill pan.
I make a HUGE thing of sauce and meatballs, then, freeze it in smaller containers.
My DH makes chicken soup during the winter and we freeze small portions - this is one of favorites!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Quesadilla with chicken & spinach
Fresh veggie soup
Hearty omelets

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

The easiest dinner I make is pasta w/ baby peas in butter sauce

I cook the pasta/pastina.. whatever

and then...

I microwave and add the frozen baby peas with butter sauce to the pasta

and.. put cheese on it..


YUM YUMMY.. I love peas..

Some of the things people wrote for an "easy" meal, seem more like what I would make for a "special" meal

I'm not such a good cook

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

These are recipes I make that I've gotten from various sources:

Stove Top Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake
Prep Time:
10 min
Total Time:
40 min

Makes:
6 servings, about 1-1/3 cups each
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 bag (14 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package; set aside.

MIX chicken and broccoli in 13x9-inch baking dish. Stir in soup, milk and cheese; top with the prepared stuffing.

BAKE 30 min. or until heated through.

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Message edited 8/17/2008 8:38:43 PM.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

I substitute brown rice (there is a 10 minute variety cook in the bag) on the market instead of white rice. You can also use a different vegetable.

INGREDIENTS

* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (regular or 98% Fat Free)
* 1 1/2 cups water
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
* 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli
* 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken.
2. Add soup, water, paprika and black pepper. Heat to a boil.
3. Stir in rice and broccoli. Return chicken to skillet. Sprinkle chicken with additional paprika and black pepper. Top with cheese. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and rice is done.

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Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Crockpot Easy Santa Fe Chicken Recipe

2 15 oz can black beans -- rinsed and drained
1 bag of frozen whole kernel corn (16 oz) -- drained
1 cup bottled thick and chunky salsa
5 or 6 skinless boneless chicken breasts -- (can use frozen)
1 8 oz brick cream cheese -- low fat is fine
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Sometimes I add:
diced tomatoes
diced onion (I buy frozen pre-diced onion)
diced peppers (again you can get a bag of frozen and cut down prep time)
diced carrots
diced celery
garlic
*** If I am using fresh I cut these up the night before and put them into the fridge next to the chicken and the corn
I leave the beans and salsa (with a can opener) next to the crock pot before I go to bed.

In a 3.5 or 4 quart electric slow cooker, mix together the beans, corn, and 1/2 cup salsa. Top with the chicken breasts, then pour the remaining salsa over the chicken.

Cover and cook on the high heat setting 2.5-3 hours, or until the chicken is tender and white throughout; do not overcook or the chicken will toughen.

Remove the chicken and cut into bite sized pieces. Add back to the slow cooker.

Add the cream cheese (cut into cubes to melt faster), and turn slow cooker to high heat. Heat until cream cheese melts and blends into sauce.

Serve over rice. Top with shredded cheese.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Spinach Pepperoni Quiche

6 eggs
1 package of chopped spinach drained
1 small onion chopped(or 1 cup of frozen chopped onion)
1 can pillbury crescent rolls(lowfat)
1/2 cup turkey pepperoni chopped
2 cups shredded cheese(cheddar/mixed whatever you like)

In pie pan make pie crust(or buy premade) with crescent rolls . Mix up ingredients in big bowl, add salt pepper & garlic powder. Bake for 45 minutes on 350 . All of your food groups in a quick dinner. DH and DD love this meal
Plus the leftovers are delicious!

Message edited 8/17/2008 8:53:01 PM.

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Spinach or Zucchini Quiche (this is easily frozen)

When I make this I always double the recipe and freeze the other quiche

1 lb. spinach or 3 cups chopped zucchini
1 large diced onion or a handful of frozen chopped onion
1 cup Bisquick
1/3 cup oil
1 cup cheddar cheese
4 eggs or egg substitute
1 tsp salt
1 tsp parsely

1. Combine above ingredients
2. Pout into greased pans
3. Baked at 350 degrees for one hour until well browned

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Mild Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

This takes less than thirty minutes to make

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat
* 1/4 cup chopped onion (again I use pre-chopped frozen onion)
* 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1 cup sour cream
* 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas (I use whole wheat)
* 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (you can use canned)
* 1/2 cup black olives

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the chicken, onion, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and 3/4 cup sour cream. Disperse the mixture evenly among the 8 tortillas. Roll into enchiladas, and arrange in single layer in the prepared baking dish.
3. In the microwave, melt together the remaining Cheddar cheese and sour cream. Pour over the enchiladas, and top with tomatoes and olives.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

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Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

OMG! thank you everyone!!!
Theresa! you rock!!!! as always, you are an amazing help!! i am printing those recipes out now and adding them to a binder i am creating. they are awesome! i love casseroles as they are so easy to clean up after!
also, i have a crockpot but am challenged when it comes to using it so i would welcome your ideas with that!
THANKS AGAIN!!!

Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Ravioli and Cheese Bake

Prep Time:
10 min
Total Time:
1 hr 5 min

1 jar (16 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup Italian Dressing
2 packages (18 oz total) refrigerated cheese-filled ravioli
1 cup Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 375°F. Combine spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, broth and dressing in 13x9-inch baking dish. Add ravioli; toss to coat. Cover with foil.

BAKE 50 min. or until ravioli is tender.

REMOVE foil; stir. Sprinkle with cheese; let stand 5 min. or until melted.

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Re: Moms please post 1 or 2 of the easiest dinners you make-thanks! don't have to include the recipe.

Posted by ME75

OMG! thank you everyone!!!
Theresa! you rock!!!! as always, you are an amazing help!! i am printing those recipes out now and adding them to a binder i am creating. they are awesome! i love casseroles as they are so easy to clean up after!
also, i have a crockpot but am challenged when it comes to using it so i would welcome your ideas with that!
THANKS AGAIN!!!